Sri Lankan Tourism -»
Sri Lanka Vacation Tours
Sri Lanka Highlights
Number of Nights: 8. A comprehensive tour of the main sights of Sri Lanka
- Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya to name but a few, all from the base of
the first class Kandalama hotel in the heart of Sri Lanka's cultural triangle.
Day 1 Wed or Mon London / Colombo
Departure by Sri Lankan Airlines on Wednesday from Heathrow to Colombo,
or on Monday. One night less on the beach may sometimes be required due
to flight schedules.
Day 2 Thu or Tue Colombo
On arrival transfer to the colonial Mount Lavinia hotel to relax.
Day 3 Fri or Wed Colombo / Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast drive through stunning scenery to Nuwara Eliya stopping
for lunch at Kitulgala where the film ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’
was filmed. Nuwara Eliya is set in a mountain valley some 6,000 feet above
sea level, and Sri Lanka’s most famous hill station. Dinner and overnight
at the Tea Factory hotel near Nuwara Eliya (approx. 115 miles) (B,L,D).
Day 4 Sat or Thu Nuwara Eliya / Kandy
In the morning, visit a tea plantation and local factory before returning
for lunch at the Tea Factory hotel. After lunch, begin your descent down
the hills along winding roads and past beautiful hill countryside and
tea plantations to Kandy and the excellent first class, the Earls Regency,
your base for the next two nights (approx. 50 miles) (B,L,D).
Day 5 Sun or Fri Kandy
Morning at leisure, perhaps enjoy the nearby golf course (transport extra)
or relax by the swimming pool. After lunch enjoy sightseeing of ‘the
capital of the Sri Lankan Kings.’ Visit Kandy town and market including
the renowned Temple of the Tooth. In the evening enjoy a cultural exhibition
of Kandyan dancing (approx. 15 miles) (B,L,D).
Day 6 Mon or Sat Kandy / Kandalama
After breakfast visit the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens before returning
to the Earls Regency for lunch. In the afternoon visit a spice garden
and a batik factory en route to the picturesque first class Kandalama
resort near Sigiriya, your base for the next three nights. Observe the
birdlife and beautiful countryside of Kandalama, a 55 acre forest which
contains a variety of trees, medicinal plants and a rich and varied birdlife.
Enjoy dinner and overnight at Kandalama (approx. 65 miles) (B,L,D).
Day 7 Tue or Sun Kandalama
Leave for Anuradhapura after breakfast, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka.
Visit the immense dagabas (Buddhist Shrines) which date to 380 BC. After
lunch visit Mihintale where Buddhism was first introduced and is abundant
with shrines and rock dwellings and thereafter you will also see the Avukana
Buddha statue, the most magnificent undamaged statue in Sri Lanka. Return
to Kandalama (approx. 160 miles) (B,L,D).
Day 8 Wed or Mon Kandalama
After breakfast leave for Sigiriya and climb the impressive rock fortress.
Here you will see the remains of the palace and famous frescoes. Proceed
to Polonnaruwa, the 12th century capital of Sri Lanka with lunch en route.
See the ruins of the Royal Palace and Gal Vihare (awe inspiring Buddha
statues carved out of rock), the Lotus Bath and 12th century Polonnaruwa
Statue. Return to Kandalama (approx. 120 miles) (B,L,D).
Day 9 Thu or Tue Kandalama / Mt.Lavinia
After breakfast, leave for the south coast visiting the Dambulla Rock
Temple famous for its beautiful murals, inscriptions and statues. The
caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagmbahu for 14 years during his exile
from Anuradhapura. When he regained his throne, he built this magnificent
Rock Temple consisting of four large caves which is one of the most impressive
caves in Sri Lanka. Continue to the Pinnawela elephant orphanage and enjoy
lunch at a nearby restaurant. After lunch, proceed to the Mount Lavinia
hotel. Alternatively continue to your chosen beach hotel for the next
six nights on an RB basis to relax on the west coast beaches (B,L).
Day 10 Fri or Wed or Day 15 Wed or Mon Colombo / London
Fly Sri Lankan Airlines to Heathrow, arriving the same day. NB The last
night at the Mount Lavinia or your beach hotel may not always be a full
night subject to flight schedules.
Sri Lanka Highlights - Reservation Form
